One of the most popular attractions in Chestertown’s annual outdoor music series, Annapolis Bluegrass brings driving instrumental virtuosity and close harmony singing to a mix of bluegrass standards, original tunes by band members and tasty adaptations of “outside” material.
The group’s members are Roger Green on guitar, lead and harmony vocals; Dan Kimball on mandolin, lead and tenor vocals; Sue Tice on fiddle, and harmony vocals; Tim Kruzic on banjo and harmony vocals and Jim Duvall on acoustic bass fiddle.
Band leader Green writes most of the band’s originals. He’s played bluegrass since he was 10 years old, and has been in band since his high school days. He has a particular fondness for songs about trains, and has added several to the band’s set lists.
Kimball lists among his influences bluegrass pioneer and mandolin virtuoso Bill Monroe, but he also gives a nod to the likes of the Everly Brothers and Fats Domino. He’s a charter member of Annapolis Bluegrass.
Tice’s fiddle technique is informed by classical training, but the sound she gets is pure bluegrass. Her fiddle feature, “Orange Blossom Special” is one of the highlights of the band’s sets. Green said in a phone interview,Tuesday, that Tice and her husband will be moving to Florida next week, so this will be a last chance for Chestertown audiences to enjoy her playing.
Kruzic spent 20 years playing banjo with Blue Daze, a well-regarded bluegrass group from the Columbia area. He has been active with a number of other Maryland bluegrass bands, and is a familiar figure at bluegrass festivals around the area.
Duvall lays down the band’s rhythmic foundation, and takes an occasional solo in instrumental numbers. His musical background includes playing electric guitar in a Motown-styled group and electric bass in a country band.
Green said the band will be pulling out a few older tunes it hasn’t performed in several years, plus adding a few new ones. Among the latter are Rich Bernhard’s “It’s Been a Long Time” and the traditional “I’ll Never Love Anybody But You.”
Music in the Park performances begin at 7 p.m. in Fountain Park and run until about 8:30. Annapolis Bluegrass is always one of the best-attended performances of the series, and a limited number of seats are available. Audience members are advised to bring folding chairs or blankets. In the event of rain, the performance will be held in Emmanuel Episcopal Church, on Cross Street opposite the park.
The Music in the Park series is sponsored by the town of Chestertown, with support from the Kent County Arts Council and community contributions. There is no charge for admission to the concerts, but donations to support the program are encouraged.
For more information and other concert dates, visit their web site at www.annapolisbluegrass.com
Excerpted with permission from the Kent County News
Bring something to sit on. Only limited seating is available. Free Admission.
Rain location: Emmanuel Episcopal Church – 101 N. Cross St. across from the park.
These free programs are sponsored by the Town of Chestertown with support from The Kent County Arts Council & Community Contributors. To help make these programs possible, please send donations payable to the Town of Chestertown and designated for “Music in the Park,” to 118 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620
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